What Einstein Didn't Know

Scientific Answers to Everyday Questions

By: Robert L. Wolke

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

How does soap know what's dirt? How do magnets work? Why do ice cubes crackle in your glass? And how can you keep them quiet?

These are questions that torment us all. Now Robert L. Wolke, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, provides definitive - and amazingly simple - explanations for the mysteries of everyday life. Shattering myths (such as the common belief that salt melts the ice in your driveway)... providing insider secrets (like what lights up a neon sign)... and daring you to perform your own experiments (find out what happens when you use a sharp knife to scratch the inside of a beer glass filled with brew!), Dr. Wolke provides astounding facts, can't-lose bar bets, and sometimes shocking truths.

Why is the sky blue? A candle flame yellow? Or bleached clothes white? Don't stay in the dark. When it comes to unraveling the mysteries of modern living, maybe Einstein didn't know. But you can - even if you've never lit a Bunsen burner - with this fascinating, eye-opening book about our astonishing world.

©1997 Robert L. Wolke (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Entertaining... a fun read." ( The San Diego Union-Tribune)

"Little Bit Of Everything" Science

This book is just a group of random science based questions about regular everyday phenomena. In all honesty you might never have thought about some of the "whys" that are answered in this book but once they are answered you find yourself nodding your head in agreement.

Robert Wolke simply seems to just think of random science questions related to everyday occurrences and answers them. I like Science... In fact I studied Chemistry at the University level so I very much liked this whole book. I was actually quite impressed at how he was able to make rather complex concepts sound quite easy. If I were doing High School level Science I believe this actually have been a good overview of everything science to make Science seem more relatable to everyday life and less abstract.

One thing I have to take away from this book is the lack of structure. Yes there was some semblance of what I just mentioned but it was generally broken up to inject some sense of humor or some added info. It was fun at times and did break up the monotony of what could easily have been a drawling book of random facts; however it also broke the flow at times. You will either love this about the book... hate this about the book or find it just plain annoying.

The narrator dry humor actually added to the listening value of the book and made it rather enjoyable to listen to. I might be a bit biased because I am a big fan of Sean Runnette from the Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout books.

All in all, this was a nice book to listen to.

Good everyday science

What other book might you compare What Einstein Didn't Know to and why?

I originally purchased this book because it seemed similar to David McRaney's books of You Are Not So Smart, and You Are Now Less Dumb, and I was not disappointed.

Any additional comments?

It was an interesting book, and answers some good everyday questions.
On a technicality, these are hardly things that "Einstein didn't know" - in fact, a couple of the "answers" in the book revolves around explaining E=M(C*C)! A previous reviewer remarked that the humour was ill suited for the book, and I agree, but this little bit made me chuckle.

My one problem with the book, is that in the last section, the author implies that magnetic therapies are somehow effective treatments for all sorts of medical ailments. It's very disappointing to be enjoying a light science book, only to have it grind to such an anti-scientific moment.

On a quirky side note for those in the skeptics movement and-the-like, I found that the narrators voice, delivery (and jokes) were very reminiscent of Ken Hovind. Except that what he was saying was scientific, of course!

Overall, an interesting book for the curious mind, and helps to put your existing scientific knowledge to practical use.

Interesting

Interesting book. somewhat repetitive in its contents. the title is unfortunate. this book is more about the wonders of chemistry than anything else.

A funny thing happened on the way to a great book

What Einstein Didn’t Know is a book filled with the wonders of science in an easily digestible meal of molecule sized bites. Robert Wolke knows how to explain the mysteries of every day life by demystifying the science behind it.

But this would have been a better book without the constant injections of humour. Most of these attempts, I thought, fell flat and distracted from the real value of the prose. In addition, the author seemed to have issues with a list of professions which were the butt of many of his quips; lawyers, marketers, government and other easy targets. Sean Runnette, an excellent narrator, also seemed to struggle with this mix of “science explained” and “stand up comedy”.

As I write this review I remember many of the excellent explanations of atoms, molecules and ions and a few of the analogies to explain them, but none of the jokes.

Good physical-chemistry review everyday phenomena

If you could sum up What Einstein Didn't Know in three words, what would they be?

explanations for laypersons

What was one of the most memorable moments of What Einstein Didn't Know?

Explanation why champagne bubbles

Which scene was your favorite?

Chemistry and cooking

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Physical-chemistry something interesting

Any additional comments?

The title of the book is what is unexplainable. It is only for capturing readers that surprise because Einstein does not appear any more in the text.

Fascinating and Practical

Great book about science in every day life. Many details of science are very difficult to convey through a book. This writer did a very good job of explaining most in practical terms with a little humor and satire mixed in.

Brain food at its best!

If you have a thirst for knowledge this this book is for you! I will likely listen to this book again.

Filled With Scientific Facts

This book is filled with scientific facts about things that you might have pondered about, such as why the sky is blue, why alcohol is measured with "proof", what causes flames to be different colors, how soap finds dirt in clothes and removes it, does pumping air in a champagne bottle keep it bubbly, and much more.

Interesting

Easily explains everyday situations, and put them in layman's language. Narrator was very good and entertaining.

Dry performance, Interesting info.

If you could sum up What Einstein Didn't Know in three words, what would they be?

Barrage of facts. Easy to understand but dryly performed.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Sean Runnette?

Maybe

Any additional comments?

This book is good for the information it contains. Not the kind of trivia book that can be picked up at any point and just as easily understood though. It starts with some basic scientific principles and builds on many of them throughout the book. It is well written but not delivered as entertainingly as it could have been. The narration is adequate but not terribly enthusiastic. Tho same meter, pitch, and tone tends to blend together after awhile.